Sports teams in Sacramento, are they good for business?
Are sports teams good for a city? More importantly, are they good for our city, Sacramento? In 1985, Sacramento acquired the Kings, an already established NBA team. Previous to Sacramento, The Kings called Rochester, Cincinnati, and Kansas City home. We play host two other teams, the River Cats Baseball Minor League AAA Giants team, and the Sacramento Republic professional soccer team. Within a two hour drive there are several other NBA, NFL and NHL teams. Unlike Oakland and San Francisco, Sacramento has managed to keep its’ small hometown feel. Our teams have become a part of our community.
With a new state of the art arena currently under construction in the old K Street Mall, Sacramento is ushering in a new era. Our long neglected downtown will receive a much needed facelift bringing with it opportunities for economic growth on all levels. These opportunities are not only for downtown but for Midtown, East Sac, Natomas and all of Sacramento’s surrounding areas. Out of town fans will discover the abundant natural resources in and around Sacramento. From the American River Trail, local hiking spots, the rivers, to the foothills. We are also in close proximity to wine country, San Francisco, and Lake Tahoe. Sports fans from out of town will stay in town if they have other venues to enjoy. Having fans stick around, or want to stick around, creates opportunities for growth with a need for music venues, live theater, museums, shopping, restaurants and hotels.
The benefits of sports teams have been seen in many cities across the country. One prime example is Indianapolis. At one time, the only thing Indianapolis was known for were its’ cornfields and the Indy 500. With careful planning by city officials, state officials and private funding, Indianapolis managed to secure NBA and NFL teams, as well as a minor league team. Bringing the teams meant Indianapolis needed to put other venues in place, such as restaurants and hotels. Soon major businesses moved in, and now call Indianapolis their headquarters. The arts, museums and theaters also became part of the growth. The city’s universities swell with students. A success story with economic growth and community.
Sport teams have a positive impact on the community through their outreach and community programs. The River Cats, Kings and Sac Republic all sponsor Youth Camps, Skills Camps, School Programs, and Green Initiatives. The Sacramento Republic has readings at the Sacramento Public Library. All of our teams bring a sense of union, celebration, and community to our area. When the teams aren’t doing so great during a season, the fans still show up to cheer. You don’t have to be a sports fan either to enjoy a game. Game day or game night is a great way to spend time with family and friends, enjoying your surroundings, the Sacramento weather, and our community.
The teams attract diverse fans. The demographics of all three teams include fans of all ages, all income brackets and all walks of life. People who would never band together in day-to-day life sit in the stands and cheer for their team – together. Sports, whether you’re a fan or not will have a positive impact in our community.
